A passenger was killed early Saturday after a disabled Dodge Avenger was struck by an 18-wheeler during a multivehicle crash on Interstate 30 in Arlington, police said.
Officers responded about 3:45 a.m. to the westbound lanes of I-30 between Cooper Street and Fielder Road, where the crash involved the Dodge Avenger, a white sedan, an unoccupied vehicle parked on the shoulder and an 18-wheeler, according to Arlington police.
Investigators believe the Avenger was traveling at a high rate of speed when it rear-ended the white sedan, police said. The collision caused the sedan to leave the roadway and hit the parked vehicle.
The Avenger became disabled after the initial collision and stopped across multiple lanes of traffic, police said. An 18-wheeler traveling westbound was unable to stop in time and struck the Avenger, ejecting the passenger.
The Avenger’s driver and passenger were taken to local hospitals. The passenger was later pronounced dead, police said.
The driver of the white sedan sustained minor injuries and was taken to a hospital. The driver of the 18-wheeler was not injured.
Police said preliminary information suggests intoxication may have contributed to the crash.
Westbound I-30 was temporarily shut down while officers investigated and cleared the roadway. The Tarrant County Medical Examiner’s Office will release the passenger’s identity after next of kin are notified.